Posts: 66
6/27/10 11:26 P

I already plan my meals for a week or more at a time. I have to be flexible when my schedule changes. Making my husband's and my lunches daily help keep down expenses and help us eat healthier.
My goal is to only eat out 1-2 meals a week.

June Minutes: 207

0 250 500 750

1000

SparkPoints: (29,839)
Fitness Minutes: (45,160)
Posts: 3,733
6/27/10 5:36 P

My main goal is to re-organize my kitchen so everything is in a place that makes sense when prepping and cooking. I have a small amount of counter space and it makes it difficult for prepping veggies most days. I am working on trying to create a space for an island of some sort, just for prep.

Posts: 4,232
6/27/10 7:33 A

My goals are to consistently have a menu planned for the week and to eat out less often on the weekends.

Posts: 263
6/27/10 7:01 A

I just joined today and my goals are to:

#1 cook more myself, my fiancé is a chef currently in transition to open his own restaurant. So he is at home a lot and usually does the cooking. Comfortable, but won't help me cooking when he is at work again.

#2 use more veggies

#3 plan my meals in advance keeping in mind the correct amount of servings that are good for me!

current weight: 254.0

257 236.75 216.5 196.25

176

Posts: 745
6/26/10 6:35 P

Goal #1 is to be more consistent in cooking what I've planned

I'm not great at planning specific meals for specific days .. but I'm going to shoot for 3 days a week to say "On Wednesday, I'm making X" and to have healthy ingredients on hand to cook 3 other days .. and the 7th can be a wake up and see what the days brings.

Goal #2 is to have at least 2 go to meals in the freezer at all times

Goal #3 is to have assorted veggies in the freezer to use as backup in case the fresh ones turn out to be not as fresh

Posts: 49,717
6/26/10 1:49 P

My goal is to get away from packaged, processed or "convenience" foods and make fresh, real food. I love to cook and I want to do it in healthy (and delicious!) ways.

current weight: 389.0

412 346.5 281 215.5

150

Posts: 132
6/26/10 6:17 A

My goal is to learn how to plan my meals a week in advance so I can shop for what I need and have it on hand to prepare the meal, Set aside time to make some meals and freeze them for those days when I don't have time to prepare a meal or find quick and easy healthy meals to prepare on those days. My kitchen is more or less organized, but I need to learn to organize my time. I'm hoping this challenge will help me do this

SparkPoints: (45,954)
Fitness Minutes: (30,356)
Posts: 4,997
6/25/10 4:58 P

I want to avoid convenience foods and find EASY, healthy recipes. I don’t like to cook but need to cut down on the amount of sodium that we eat. DH has high blood pressure and mine is going up.

I’m fortunate that my kitchen is mostly organized. I need to make a few minor adjustments.

I have tried planning meals for a week and absolutely hate it. We frequently have leftovers. Right now I am working on getting our freezer cleaned out. I need to find some easy recipes for what is in it. I have started a notebook for recipes that I have tried that we like. It is nice to have “go to” recipes. I am going to start checking into SP recipes for ones that we might like.

I am glad that someone reminded us of baby steps. I know that is what I am going to have to do and that it will take awhile before I get to where I want to be.

Yvonne

current weight: 153.0

178 170.25 162.5 154.75

147

Posts: 2,287
6/24/10 10:29 P

I want to learn how to cook new veggies. To appeal to my kids and myself.

I want to really get my kitchen functional.

I want to condense my cookbooks (I have too many if that is really possible).

I want to above all have fun with my first Spark Challenge.

GL to everyone.



Edited by: MOM23CUTIES357 at: 6/24/2010 (22:30)

Pounds lost: 3.7

0 4.875 9.75 14.625

19.5

Posts: 66,046
6/24/10 7:46 P

My goals are:

-Plan my meals
-do a kitchen makeover (done, I can't believe what all I found!! LOL!
-use more fresh/frozen veggies
-organize my cookbooks
-try new recipes once a week

Edited by: LOVESLIFE13 at: 6/24/2010 (19:46)

current weight: 228.4

231 228.5 226 223.5

221

SparkPoints: (15,222)
Fitness Minutes: (6,941)
Posts: 560
6/24/10 7:43 P

My goal for this team is to eat much healthier, but eat creatively. I want my meals to be packed with all the good things my body needs but also delicious at the same time. I want to learn how to be more creative in the kitchen versus making Hamburger Helper all the time!

current weight: 182.0

182 176.5 171 165.5

160

Posts: 1,974
6/24/10 4:43 P

Hubby just got test results and his cholesterol is high. Not alarmingly high, but high enough to worry me. My goals are to be cooking more healthy meals to get his cholesterol back under control and for the entire family to eat better. I also want to break my family of the fast food habit.

current weight: 152.0

180 170 160 150

140

SparkPoints: (58,919)
Fitness Minutes: (2,828)
Posts: 2,957
6/24/10 4:27 P

My goal is getting back in the habit of planning and cooking in advance so all my meals are healthy. I was very good at this for about five years. About a year ago I slipped back to my old bad habits.

SparkPoints: (35,988)
Fitness Minutes: (40,508)
Posts: 1,174
6/24/10 4:09 P

My goal is to be more consistent in planning meals so I can avoid the temptation to snack constantly in place of a meal. I also want to work at incorporating more fruits and vegetables in my diet.

current weight: 144.0

158 149.75 141.5 133.25

125

Posts: 289
6/24/10 10:52 A

1) To make better use of my CSA share. I get the list on Mondays so I would need to take some time to plan my meals for the week and plan how to preserve the other food that I am not using right away.
2) Avoid fast food or “convenience” meals – I want to have a plan for every night. Mondays are busy with swim lessons so I could make use of the crock pot for example.

Pounds lost: 8.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

SparkPoints: (10,534)
Fitness Minutes: (1,158)
Posts: 174
6/24/10 10:45 A

My overall plan is to combine a "healthy (low salt, low 'bad' fats) food plan" for my DH's heart health with personally losing weight a healthy weigh.

Using the farmer's market(and planning meals around fresh produce availability)and a *flexitarian* meal plan.

Several years ago we switched to whole grains, low fat dairy, and fresh produce. Portion contortion is the culprit

current weight: 279.5

294 256.75 219.5 182.25

145

SparkPoints: (32,489)
Fitness Minutes: (3,356)
Posts: 1,309
6/24/10 9:07 A

I would like to stop relying on canned vegetables, start utilizing the local farmers market and buying fresh veggies.

I want to find more interesting way to cook said fresh veggies, rather than just heat them in a pan.

I want to reduce my portion sizes. Eat more filling food so I'm not tempted to go back for 2nds or 3rds.

Pounds lost: 31.3

0 16.75 33.5 50.25

67

Posts: 19,215
6/24/10 6:34 A

Tell us why you joined the challenges and what goals you hope to accomplish during the next four weeks!

I am trying to live a new healthy lifestyle and this involves being informed.

Reading labels tells us what is in our foods and what a portion size should be.

Cooking healthy means learning about foods and this is why I joined.

I hope to expend my food and cooking knowledge.
I want to learn new recipes and share mine with others.
I want to be able to connect with the team and learn all that I can.
I want to try new things.
I want to learn to think before I eat.
I wan to have my kitchen be my respite from the day. Clean, organized and a fun place to be.

Edited by: WINDSONG~ at: 6/24/2010 (06:35)

SparkPoints: (14,543)
Fitness Minutes: (7,094)
Posts: 409
6/23/10 9:58 P

My goals are to:

1. Consistently eat three meals a day
2. Learn to cook delicious yet healthy meals
3. Stop eating out so much and wasting money
4. Make new recipes, because I usually cook the same thing, get bored, and start eating unhealthy things.

current weight: 208.0

210 207.5 205 202.5

200

Posts: 12,018
6/23/10 9:53 P

I have a Hubby who is very, very picky & set in his ways!!!! His is country & has eaten fried, breaded, covered in gravy, & what are the weeds doing on the table, for 73 years!! I have my work cut out for me!!!! LOL LOL!!!!

There are only two of us so most recipes are way too much & he won't eat leftovers!! SO.....I wind up with strange fuzzy things in the fridge or throwing things away!! Also, he doesn't like to plan ahead.....for anything!!!! If I plan for chicken tonite, he wants chicken fried steak!! He is willing to try, but because he has begining stages of Alzheimer's, it is really frustrating sometimes!!

My goals for the challenge are:

1. To keep my kitchen clean & well-stocked with no more squishy veggies or unidentifiable objects in the fridge, so that I can efficiently use it & enjoy making meals!!

2. To plan meals ahead and make a master shopping list, and do any advance prep needed so that I am not tempted to go for takeout when I’m tired !!

3. To track my food every day this month. If I make the food, I know what's in it and can keep track of my calories and nutrients.

current weight: 242.0

243 239.75 236.5 233.25

230

SparkPoints: (7,205)
Fitness Minutes: (10,537)
Posts: 74
6/23/10 7:40 P

I never thought I would be one who would count calories. I always thought it was a waste of time. I wanted to be able to enjoy my meals without having to worry about if I went over board, really I just like to be in control at all times, but I must say that tracking what I eat so far and keep in mind its only my second day has not been as bad, instead its been very helpful.

Now I would like to put in my posts those pretty tracking my weight chart you guys have, how can I do that?

SparkPoints: (39,924)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,554
6/23/10 7:02 P

These are a great bunch of goals! Take it one step at a time and enjoy the challenge!

Gabrielle, do you crock pot? If so check out crockpot365.blogspot.com/.

Steph, the Crock Pot Lady, cooks everything gluten-free.

current weight: 210.0

217 199 181 163

145

Posts: 43
6/23/10 6:53 P

My goal is to only eat out once this month. It's lofty, but I think I can achieve it.

Posts: 6,605
6/23/10 4:01 P

My goal is to make more of my meals healthy. I tend to run out of ideas and am always looking for new ones. My husband has celiac so I have special challenges with cooking gluten free and still keep it healthy.

current weight: 162.6

180 168.25 156.5 144.75

133

Posts: 7
6/23/10 2:08 P

I have been making a list of meals for the week but it's usually a list that I've just thrown together a few minutes before I go to the store on the weekend. My goal is to spend more time with my meal planning so I can make healthier choices. Also I would like to get my kids more involved with the cooking. I think it would great if they can pick-up the healthy habits.

Posts: 197
6/23/10 2:02 P

For the past months I've been relying on meal replacements, so my goal is to make at least 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches at home per week. My focus is on using whole foods and organic whenever possible.

Pounds lost: 27.6

0 17.25 34.5 51.75

69

Posts: 1
6/23/10 1:19 P

My goal is to make at least 3 new healthy recipes a week. We have a garden and I need to use the spinach and lettuce right now, especially. I don't care for the smell of the arugula, but will try to use that in something.

SparkPoints: (1,011)
Fitness Minutes: (815)
Posts: 16
6/23/10 12:45 P

My goal is fairly simple. I'd love to start cooking some new healthier recipies my family and I can enjoy together. I'm starting to get tired of the same old thing and I'd love to learn how to be an overall better cook. This should give me some motivation and direction.

Posts: 6,037
6/23/10 8:53 A

I'm a little behind in stating my goals. In January, I started a cooking challenge with myself to cook at least 4 meals at home a week. I wanted to stop relying on takeout and start learning to cook for myself. I did really well for a couple months, but then the hecticness of my life took hold and it was easier to pick up food on the way home from work.

I plan to get back to the cooking challenge I set for myself and prepare at least 4 meals at home per week. I also want to keep trying new recipes.

Pounds lost: 6.0

0 3 6 9

12

Posts: 353
6/23/10 8:48 A

My healthy cooking plan has been in the works for a few months now, but it is the organization skills that I seem to be lacking. Planning a weeks worth of meals and cooking those meals is the tough part for me. Focus is what I need to stay on track.

June Minutes: 0

0 250 500 750

1000

SparkPoints: (20,550)
Fitness Minutes: (11,993)
Posts: 742
6/23/10 7:10 A

I've been on a healthy cooking journey for a while now. I'm working on teaching my husband healthier ways to cook since I have diabetes and high blood pressure. I hope this challenge will help me stay focused and give me new ideas for healthy cooking.

current weight: 208.0

269 251.75 234.5 217.25

200

Posts: 1,587
6/23/10 1:12 A

I joined this challenge because I feel it can be a boost for me in how to make meals more efficiently. I hope to be able to make healthier meals for home and work.

SparkPoints: (7,205)
Fitness Minutes: (10,537)
Posts: 74
6/22/10 1:00 P

I cook everday for my 4 kids and husband. But I want to make sure the foods I am cooking is healthy and tastes great for everyone.

Posts: 342
6/21/10 10:50 P

I feel like I almost need an "all of the above" option for my goals. I already cook most of my own food from scratch but I have a lot of difficulty finding recipes that are suitable for a single person on a budget. I'm also opposed to using overly processed foods so I don't eat things like margarine, low/non-fat foods made by replacing part of a real ingredient with something that has no nutritional value, or anything that contains a lot of chemicals I can't pronounce. Add to that, I work full-time and go to college in the evening so my time is very limited for any kind of cooking or meal prep. I rarely eat junk food and I never drink soda so I think my overall goal is: budget friendly meals for one with more fruits, veggies, and fish.

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 4.5 9 13.5

18

SparkPoints: (11,435)
Fitness Minutes: (6,315)
Posts: 673
6/21/10 7:02 A

My goal is to cook at least one meal, hopefully 2 7 days a week. I want my husband and children to get in the habit of eating healthy, and if the junk isn't in the house, then they have to eat what's there.

Pounds lost: 1.5

0 5 10 15

20

Posts: 82
6/21/10 3:59 A

My goals are to cook more and make double so I can use it for another meal to save time, eat more vegetables and less or no cheese.

SparkPoints: (6,468)
Fitness Minutes: (2,850)
Posts: 761
6/21/10 1:30 A

My goals are to plan complete meals including side dishes, find new healthy recipes to add to my cookbook, and find ways to use leftover ingredients so they don't go to waste.

Edited by: -AMYLOUWHO- at: 6/21/2010 (01:39)

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 5.25 10.5 15.75

21

Posts: 194
6/20/10 2:03 P

My goals this week are to use the food tracker consistently, Make at least one meal from scratch per day and find at least three new recipes this week that I can add to my cookbook

Posts: 130
6/20/10 12:34 P

Hi Everyone!

My goals for this week are to keep to my meal calendar. And, look for new recipes that I would like to cook for next week. :)

Posts: 184
6/20/10 11:28 A

Hi everyone! I'm really excited about this challenge. It seems to address perfectly those behaviors I have been wanting to change the most for the longest time.

My goal this week is to complete all the items in the Weekly Action Plan (read all articles, get my kitchen organized, etc.) I've already completed my meal planning for the week....this is HUGE for me!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement!

436 Days since:  Sugar & White Flour

0 112 225 337

450

Posts: 95
6/19/10 4:51 P

My goals are to plan my meals and create a shopping list, pack my lunches for the week, and cook at least 3 meals.

Pounds lost: 41.0

0 25 50 75

100

SparkPoints: (62,611)
Fitness Minutes: (63,165)
Posts: 443
6/19/10 10:28 A

Just found this challenge. My first week goal will be to create a menu for a week and prepare my shopping list so that I will be good to go..............

current weight: 137.0

168 156 144 132

120

SparkPoints: (39,924)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,554
6/17/10 7:57 A

Great goals, everyone! Now put the plan to work.

current weight: 210.0

217 199 181 163

145

Posts: 411
6/17/10 12:19 A

My goal is to plan and cook dinner at least 5 times per week. Each meal will have a protein, veggie and carb component.

Pounds lost: 34.4

0 40.25 80.5 120.75

161

SparkPoints: (26,126)
Fitness Minutes: (27,826)
Posts: 1,451
6/16/10 12:10 P

My goals -
Plan meals every week.
Try new recipes.
Continue to make healthy food choices.
Baking muffins or cakes using unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin instead of butter.

Posts: 16
6/16/10 9:47 A

I need to schedule out my meals for the week using recipes.

Posts: 1,223
6/16/10 8:45 A

Goals for cooking challenge:
- Learn to cook more vegetable dishes with variety.
- Eat more vegetables for snacking.
- Try new recipes
- Don’t be afraid to begin a new recipe. I’m always convincing myself that it’s too much to start something new with spices/ingredients I never used before.
- Share these dishes with family/friends

Posts: 29
6/15/10 8:09 P

My goals are to:
1)makeover old recipes healthier
2)learn new recipes
3)Plan better
4)stay organized
5)and be open to new ideas

Posts: 76
6/15/10 2:31 P

Over the summer my goal is to cook 1-2 times a week. Hopefully, by the time school starts back up, I'll have enough food squirreled away in the freezer to eat healthy and /not/ have to rely on fast food!

current weight: 140.2

140.2 137.65 135.1 132.55

130

Posts: 837
6/14/10 8:15 P

My long-term goal is to plan out meals for the week and be more organized so I'm not always throwing out rotting produce - also, to stay motivated when I think I'm too tired to cook. I want to do this for myself and my family.

Short term, my goals are to bring my lunch to work - it's healthier and more economical, and to try a new recipe every week.

I'm looking forward to the challenge.